CFP: The Impact of the Internet on the Mass Media in Europe (Greece) (10/1/05; 4/26/06-4/28/06)

COST A20 Conference“The Impact of the Internet on the Mass Media in Europe”Delphi, Greece, 26-28 April 2006

COST Action A20 on “The Impact of the Internet on the Mass Media inEurope” invites proposals for papers to be presented at itsconcluding conference, to be held in Delphi, Greece, 26-28 April 2006.

The internet represents a challenge to many areas of social life, and themass media are one of the most problematic areas. Over the last few yearsthere have been predictions of the end of the large scale mediacorporations, the death of media forms like newspapers, and the deluge ofonline piracy first in music and now increasingly in audio-visualmaterial. Some of these predictions have been demonstrably wrong, andsome have been proved only too true. Distinguishing real developmentsfrom wishful thinking and doom-mongering is one of the essential rolesthat scholarly researchers can play in contemporary society.

For the last five years, researchers in twenty two European countries havebeen working together to understand the impact that the internet has onthe practices, the content, the business and the audiences for the press,television and radio. In that time they have carried out numerousdetailed projects looking at particular aspects of all the media. Theproject is now coming to a conclusion, and one of the aims of thisconference is to present the work of network to other researchers.However, we want this to be a two-way process, with us learning from thework that has been going on outside of our own grouping, so we are alsoinviting scholars to present proposals for papers on any aspect of thisissue.

The Action has evolved into a structure with four specialisms: in theprinted press; in television; in radio; and in cross media issues. Weinvite abstracts from scholars working on any or all of those areas.Proposals can address online and offline aspects of media production,audience behaviour, content, or business.

Proposals should take the form of an abstract of not more than 250 words.They should be sent by email to cost-a20_at_wb.st by 1/10/2005. Successfulproposers will be notified by 31/10/2005. The deadline for full papers is28/2/2006.